Types of Surfboards: Which Shape Is Right for You? (2026)

Surfboard Types at a Glance

Surfboards come in many shapes, but most fall into a handful of families. In general, longer, wider and thicker boards are more stable and catch waves more easily, while shorter, narrower and thinner boards turn sharply but are harder to paddle and ride.

Length and volume ranges vary by source and rider; they're typical, not rules. Find your size with our surfboard size chart.

Soft-Top (Foam) Surfboards

Soft-tops have a foam deck and usually a slick plastic bottom. They're forgiving, buoyant and much less likely to hurt you or others, which makes them the standard learner board and a popular choice for surf schools. They're also fun for experienced surfers on small days. See the best surfboards for beginners.

Longboards

Longboards are the classic surfboard, generally 9 feet or longer, with a rounded nose and lots of volume. They paddle easily, catch waves early and glide through flat sections. They suit beginners learning to stand and experienced surfers who enjoy traditional style: cross-stepping and noseriding. Many use a single fin or a 2+1 setup. Their size makes them harder to turn sharply and to duck dive.

Funboards and Mini-Mals

A funboard or mini-mal (mini-malibu) is a shorter version of a longboard, typically about 7 to 8 feet. It's easier to carry and turn than a longboard while still offering plenty of stability and paddle power. It's the most common next step after a beginner soft-top.

Mid-Lengths and Eggs

Mid-lengths sit between shortboards and longboards, often around 7.5 to 8.5 feet. They paddle well and draw smooth, flowing lines, which makes them popular for all ability levels. Eggs are rounded-outline mid-length boards with a wide middle and lots of volume, built for easy, smooth surfing.

Fish

A fish is short, wide and thick, usually with a swallow tail and a twin or quad fin setup. The extra width and volume help it generate speed and plane in small, weak waves. It can feel loose and harder to control in bigger surf.

Hybrids and Grovelers

Hybrids mix shortboard performance with fish-like width and volume. Grovelers are short, wide boards with relatively flat rocker, built to make the most of small, mushy days. Both are popular everyday boards for intermediate surfers.

Shortboards

Shortboards are the high-performance standard, typically about 5'6" to 6'4" for many adults, with pointed noses, narrow outlines, more rocker and low volume (often around 25–35 liters). They turn sharply and fit in steep, powerful waves, but they're hard to paddle and unforgiving for beginners. Most use a thruster fin setup.

Step-Ups and Guns

A step-up is a shortboard a few inches longer, with a bit more volume and a narrower tail, for bigger days. A gun is a big-wave board, often 7 to 12 feet or longer, long and narrow with a pointed nose and tail. Guns paddle fast enough to catch large waves and hold a stable line at high speed.

Other Types

• Simmons-style boards: wide, planing designs with broad tails and twin keel fins, fast in small waves.
• Alaia: a thin, finless wooden board inspired by ancient Hawaiian surfing; fast but very challenging.
• Tow boards: small, heavy boards with foot straps for being towed into huge waves by a personal watercraft.
• Foil boards: short boards mounted on a hydrofoil that lifts the board above the water.
• SUP surfboards: stand-up paddle boards for surfing; see paddle boarding.

Volume: The Number That Matters Most

Volume, measured in liters, describes how much a board floats. It depends on length, width and thickness together. A short but wide and thick fish can have more volume than a longer, thinner shortboard. More volume means easier paddling and wave catching; less volume means sharper turns and easier duck diving. Shortboards commonly sit around 25–35 liters, a 7-foot funboard around 40–50 liters, and longboards around 60–100 liters. Match volume to your weight and ability with the surfboard size chart.

Surfboard Tail Shapes

Rails, Rocker and Bottom Contours

Rails

Rails are the board's edges. Soft, rounded rails are forgiving and suit beginners and small waves. Hard, sharper rails release water cleanly for precise, responsive turns and suit experienced surfers.

Rocker

Rocker is the board's banana-shaped curve from nose to tail. More rocker makes a board more maneuverable and better in steep, powerful waves but slower to paddle. Less (flatter) rocker paddles faster, catches more waves and suits small, weak surf, but is harder to turn and more likely to nose-dive on steep takeoffs. Beginners usually do best on flatter boards.

Bottom Contours

Concave bottoms channel water for lift and speed. Vee and convex shapes help the board roll from rail to rail for control. Many boards combine contours from nose to tail.

Fin Setups

More on fin systems, sizes and materials in our surfboard fins guide.

Surfboard Construction

Because EPS is more buoyant, an epoxy board can be a little smaller in volume than a PU board for the same rider. Repair epoxy boards with epoxy resin only; polyester resin can damage EPS foam.

How to Choose a Surfboard Type

Be honest about your ability and the waves you surf most. Most surfers progress faster by riding a board with a bit more volume than they think they need.

Caring for Any Surfboard

• Rinse with fresh water after surfing.
• Keep it out of direct sun and hot cars; heat can delaminate boards and melt wax.
• Store it in a board bag.
• Repair dings quickly so water doesn't soak into the foam.

Related Guides

See how boards evolved in the history of surfing. Learn how to surf, size your board with the surfboard size chart, explore the surfing hub, or look at wakesurf boards and surfskates.

Frequently Asked Questions